Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine.

Magnetic resonance imaging has been applied to the evaluation of the spine and foramen magnum and has clearly shown not only that it can demonstrate the normal spinal anatomy and a variety of pathologic conditions, but also that it can be performed safely in a noninvasive fashion in an outpatient setting. Although MRI is presently a valuable adjunct to more conventional diagnostic studies of the spine, it is the imaging examination of choice in several suspected disease entities.